Recently in Transportation Category
Hosted by the Birmingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB)
Representatives from the Governor's Office on Disability (GOOD) and the Federal Highway Administration (Alabama Division Office) will conduct a full day interactive workshop providing an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and associated policies, rules and design guidelines for street crossings, sidewalks and shared use trails.
Date: Thursday, July 22, 2010
Time: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Place: Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham
First Floor Conference Room
1731 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203
This free workshop includes lunch. Seating is limited. Registration will be handled on a first come first served basis. Anyone interested in attending should contact Cissy Edwards, mpo@rpcgb.org or 205-264-8402 and advise her of any special needs. For general questions regarding the workshop contact Tom Maxwell, tmaxwell@rpcgb.org or 205-264-8445.
Representatives from the Governor's Office on Disability (GOOD) and the Federal Highway Administration (Alabama Division Office) will conduct a full day interactive workshop providing an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and associated policies, rules and design guidelines for street crossings, sidewalks and shared use trails.
Date: Thursday, July 22, 2010
Time: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Place: Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham
First Floor Conference Room
1731 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203
This free workshop includes lunch. Seating is limited. Registration will be handled on a first come first served basis. Anyone interested in attending should contact Cissy Edwards, mpo@rpcgb.org or 205-264-8402 and advise her of any special needs. For general questions regarding the workshop contact Tom Maxwell, tmaxwell@rpcgb.org or 205-264-8445.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) received the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) Award for Federal Preserve America Accomplishment for its support of the Preserve America Program and its leadership in historic preservation efforts across the nation.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration were recognized for having demonstrated exemplary support for the goals and objectives of the Preserve America program. Among their many accomplishments: a Preserve America Web site that features success stories in 13 States, including Transportation Enhancement funding projects in seven Preserve America Communities; its use of the FHWA "Successes in Stewardship" newsletter in spring 2009 to highlight an additional extended case study of funding infrastructure improvements in downtown Natchitoches, Louisiana, a Preserve America Community; its long-term program support for heritage tourism development through the National Scenic Byways Program, including the 31 All-American Roads and the 121 National Scenic Byways in 46 States; and long-standing membership on the Preserve America Steering Committee.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration were recognized for having demonstrated exemplary support for the goals and objectives of the Preserve America program. Among their many accomplishments: a Preserve America Web site that features success stories in 13 States, including Transportation Enhancement funding projects in seven Preserve America Communities; its use of the FHWA "Successes in Stewardship" newsletter in spring 2009 to highlight an additional extended case study of funding infrastructure improvements in downtown Natchitoches, Louisiana, a Preserve America Community; its long-term program support for heritage tourism development through the National Scenic Byways Program, including the 31 All-American Roads and the 121 National Scenic Byways in 46 States; and long-standing membership on the Preserve America Steering Committee.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) posted a new Accessibility Resource Library. This page supports an effort to organize and make available all information that relates to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other accessibility resources that may affect research, planning, design, construction, or operations of any FHWA project.
Each office in the Federal Highway Administration is responsible for maintaining accessibility information as it relates to its own program. This new website supports the effort to organize and make available all information that relates to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other accessibility resources that may affect research, planning, design, construction, or operations of any Federal Highway Administration project.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/accessibility/
Each office in the Federal Highway Administration is responsible for maintaining accessibility information as it relates to its own program. This new website supports the effort to organize and make available all information that relates to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other accessibility resources that may affect research, planning, design, construction, or operations of any Federal Highway Administration project.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/accessibility/
On April 28, 2009, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation conducted a Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on The Future of National Surface Transportation Policy. Majority statements were delivered by Senator John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV), and Minority statements were delivered by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX). Panelists included The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary of the Department of Transportation, as well as Anne P. Canby, President, Surface Transportation Policy Partnership, James Corless, Campaign Director, Transportation for America, Steve Heminger, Executive Director, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and Ned S. Holmes, Texas Transportation Commissioner and Chairman, Transportation Transformation Group.
To view the archived webcast of the hearing or to read the transcripts, visit the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation website.
To view the archived webcast of the hearing or to read the transcripts, visit the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation website.
Missouri's plan to spend $750 million in federal money on highways and nothing on mass transit in St. Louis doesn't square with President-elect Barack Obama's vision for a revolutionary re-engineering of the nation's infrastructure.
Utah would pour 87 percent of the funds it may receive in a new economic stimulus bill into new road capacity. Arizona would spend $869 million of its $1.2 billion wish list on highways.
While many states are keeping their project lists secret, plans that have surfaced show why environmentalists and some development experts say much of the stimulus spending may promote urban sprawl while scrimping on more green-friendly rail and mass transit.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aV2SxqQRuOFw
Utah would pour 87 percent of the funds it may receive in a new economic stimulus bill into new road capacity. Arizona would spend $869 million of its $1.2 billion wish list on highways.
While many states are keeping their project lists secret, plans that have surfaced show why environmentalists and some development experts say much of the stimulus spending may promote urban sprawl while scrimping on more green-friendly rail and mass transit.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aV2SxqQRuOFw
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama State Department of Education continue to provide funds to schools through the Safe Routes to School initiative. The purpose of this program is to enable and encourage students in grades K-8, including those with disabilities, to walk and bike to school and to make these alternatives safer and more appealing. The projects will improve roadway safety, reduce traffic fuel consumption and reduce air pollution in the vicinity of schools. The SRTS program is divided into two funding categories, infrastructure and non infrastructure. The guidelines and application instructions are available on the ALDOT website. Go to www.dot.state.al.us and click on Safe Routes to School. The application deadline is November 30, 2008.
he Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced the sixth National Scenic Byways Program nomination cycle. All nomination applications must be completed online at http://www.bywaysonline.org/nominations/application, and submitted both electronically and as a signed hard copy. The hard copy of the completed nomination and completion of the online nomination are due from the State, Indian tribe, or Federal land management agencies to the FHWA Division Offices by December 17, 2008.
Documents to help potential nominees prepare their nomination are available at http://www.bywaysonline.org/nominations. They include the Designation Readiness Worksheet, Image Style Guide, Nominations Guide, and other important documents, such as FHWA's Interim Policy for the National Scenic Byways Program. If you have questions about designation, please check the "Frequently Asked Questions about Designations" article at http://www.bywaysonline.org/nominations/articles/74891. If you cannot find your answer, send an email to cindi.ptak@dot.gov. These FAQs will be updated regularly.
Documents to help potential nominees prepare their nomination are available at http://www.bywaysonline.org/nominations. They include the Designation Readiness Worksheet, Image Style Guide, Nominations Guide, and other important documents, such as FHWA's Interim Policy for the National Scenic Byways Program. If you have questions about designation, please check the "Frequently Asked Questions about Designations" article at http://www.bywaysonline.org/nominations/articles/74891. If you cannot find your answer, send an email to cindi.ptak@dot.gov. These FAQs will be updated regularly.
Across the United States, heritage tourism is on the rise. To promote Alabama’s unique blend of Civil Rights history and cultural traditions, Auburn University and the Alabama Department of Tourism are teaming up to develop a Civil Rights Heritage Trail in Alabama. The project aims to provide tourists with a rich travel experience by allowing access to Alabama’s Civil Rights sites through easy-to-follow routes and the inclusion of unique local restaurants, lodging and cultural amenities. The guide will go beyond well-known Civil Rights museums to include many additional sites significant in the struggle for racial equality. Auburn University staff will work closely with the Alabama Department of Tourism to build on the Department’s current Civil Rights publication.
Continue reading New Civil Rights Heritage Trail for Alabama’s Black Belt.
Though the following information pertains specifically to America's Byways (www.byways.org), the research and ideas are extremely useful to all small towns and communities. In particular, download and review the trends and expectations documents located www.bywaysresourcecenter.org/topics/visitor-experience/marketing/tools/1131/
America’s Byways Resource Center, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration National Scenic Byways Program, executed three phases of research in association with the development of a Public Awareness Strategy for America’s Byways®. The 2006/2007 Longwoods Travel USA® Personal Vehicular Travel Analysis and Custom Image & Positioning Research studies identified America’s Byways three priority segments as Touring, Special Event and Outdoor travelers. This research can be found on the America’s Byways Resource Center website at http://www.bywaysresourcecenter.org/topics/visitor-experience/marketing/tools/1131/
In order to attract these travelers, we are looking ahead and would like input from you on story and theme ideas for the byways.org homepage. The Feature Stories are short stories that include a few byways with a particular theme, see http://www.byways.org/stories/ . The Activity Stories have more detail and include a minimum of 10 stories, see http://www.byways.org/explore/activities/
Here is a list of the upcoming proposed schedule for both Feature and Activity stories. The topic ideas/themes used should be fun, interesting, and engaging. New and different ideas/themes are always welcome!
An example: New York America’s Byways are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War.
DEVELOPING AND PROPOSED THEMED STORY IDEAS:
New Feature – Shipwrecks
New Activity - Gardens
New Feature – Small towns & Villages (could be unique museums or walking tours or festivals)
New Activity – Road biking
America’s Byways Resource Center, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration National Scenic Byways Program, executed three phases of research in association with the development of a Public Awareness Strategy for America’s Byways®. The 2006/2007 Longwoods Travel USA® Personal Vehicular Travel Analysis and Custom Image & Positioning Research studies identified America’s Byways three priority segments as Touring, Special Event and Outdoor travelers. This research can be found on the America’s Byways Resource Center website at http://www.bywaysresourcecenter.org/topics/visitor-experience/marketing/tools/1131/
In order to attract these travelers, we are looking ahead and would like input from you on story and theme ideas for the byways.org homepage. The Feature Stories are short stories that include a few byways with a particular theme, see http://www.byways.org/stories/ . The Activity Stories have more detail and include a minimum of 10 stories, see http://www.byways.org/explore/activities/
Here is a list of the upcoming proposed schedule for both Feature and Activity stories. The topic ideas/themes used should be fun, interesting, and engaging. New and different ideas/themes are always welcome!
An example: New York America’s Byways are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War.
DEVELOPING AND PROPOSED THEMED STORY IDEAS:
New Feature – Shipwrecks
New Activity - Gardens
New Feature – Small towns & Villages (could be unique museums or walking tours or festivals)
New Activity – Road biking
This targeted, national effort will help raise awareness of the risks drivers face on America’s rural roads. The initiative will support States in improving rural road safety by highlighting available tools and programs, and it will provide assistance and encourage demonstrations of innovative, quick and effective leveraging of existing resources.
This new endeavor will be multi-modal and comprehensive in addressing five key goals: safer drivers, better roads, smarter roads, better trained emergency responders, and improved outreach and partnerships.
Raising awareness is key to the success of the Rural Safety Initiative. For more information, please visit www.dot.gov/affairs/ruralsafety.
This new endeavor will be multi-modal and comprehensive in addressing five key goals: safer drivers, better roads, smarter roads, better trained emergency responders, and improved outreach and partnerships.
Raising awareness is key to the success of the Rural Safety Initiative. For more information, please visit www.dot.gov/affairs/ruralsafety.
The Appalachian Regional Commission's (www.ARC.gov) driving maps, in partnership with National Geographic, are out. Maps can be found on http://www.visitappalachia.com and will be included in the April issue of National Geographic magazine reaching more than 865,000 subscribers nationwide. Click on the "Route Guide" graphic in the middle of the screen for one way to browse the featured routes.
FHWA has reworked its Transportation Enhancement (TE) Activities website to make it easier to use. Some of the changes include having the TE Guidance page open to a page with an introduction to the guidance and supplemental guidance documents; and moving navigation bars to the top, allowing documents to be printed on fewer pages. The updated website can be found at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/te/.
The public is invited to review and discuss maps and charts of the potential projects and solutions to issues and needs that were identified at the Winter meetings. The Alabama Department of Transportation will review the projects included in the FY2008-2011 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The following are meeting dates: Walker County, April 8, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., CHS Building, Jasper, Alabama
If you have any questions, please contact Cissy Edwards Crowe, (205) 264-8402, email cedwards@rpcgb.org
If you have any questions, please contact Cissy Edwards Crowe, (205) 264-8402, email cedwards@rpcgb.org
A Notice of Proposed Amendments (NPA) to the MUTCD was published in the Federal Register on January 2, 2008 for public review and comments. This NPA contains comprehensive revisions that are proposed for incorporation into the next edition of the MUTCD. A 7-month period is being provided for comments to the docket, which will close on July 31, 2008. Of particular interest may be proposed changes in Chapter 2D regarding wayfinding signs, Chapter 2G regarding specific service signs, and Chapter 2J regarding recreational and cultural area interest signs. Further information can be found at: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/proposed_amend/index.htm.
